The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-31
CHAPTER XIII.


mention to the outside world of his daugh-
ters engagement 10 Sir Arthur.
Knowing as he did that the young man
rs vet did not know of the eX-
istinly contract, and being well aware of the
caprices of the human heart, he knew if not
bruItedaboUt that little harm could be done
if the affairs should not turn out as he and
the Earl had wished.
Indeed he had commenced to see the grow
inginterest of the young COuntin his darling,
and felt in no ways averse. From Betty's
manner he inferred that if she had not felt
herself bound by this contract she would
give her young admirer all the love that be
longed to her passionate nature. The
thought troubled him deeply, and he resolved
when opportunity offered, to test her affec-
tons, and if he found them as he thought
to release her from his part of the contract
and insist upon a remuneration from the
Earl, even if, knowing the proud, unfor
ging nature of his friend and neighbor, it
should be the means of losing his friend
ship; for Lord Ernst sensibly preferred los
Ing a friend to breaking his daughter
heart.
The engagement had been the Earls sug-
gestion in the first place, and Lord Ernst
felt that he had allowed himself to be led
too easily into the plan.
But his fears were soon to be dispelled in
an unexpected way.
1t was but few days after the ball when
he entered the library to overlook the days
mail
Passing over promiscuous letters he took
out two with addresses in the well-known
chirography Of the Earl and Countess.
Lord Ernst broke the seal of the EarHS
and read
DEAR ERNsI--The young man whom
once called SON has disgraced himself and
family, and no longer have a son He IS
dead TO me. Tell my 'nut-brown maid not
70 give him thought--he is not worth it
She will soon find another who will bemOre
$780, Ct such Il prize. Your friend,
"BEACONSFIELD."
Lord Ernst read the missiye over and over
again
"DBgraced! disowncd! Why, what does
the man mean. What can the poor boy
have done to como 10 such pass! He can
not have committed villainy-he was too
honorable for that! Then, what has lie
done! should think after getting through
the temptations of college life without get
lilng INTO any scrapes he could get along IN
his matllrer years." exclaimed Lord Ernst,
III bewilderment.
but perhaps" continued he, 1.-THE Coun-
tc's ctter viii throw some light on the sub
Ject.
SO aying, lie opened the otber letter and
read H.
Ihc letter was a sad one, giving an ac-
count Of the shock of her boys marriage
ana ot the narrowing scene with his father.
But though Lord Ernst could see that not
NiIl.tanding this marriage Arthur was
sun his mothers son, and the wife dauSh-
ter
Tell Betty" concluded the Countess,
tha' l love her dearly and always shall
gUt my son has given me unexpectedly
ueal daughter, and it is my duty to love her,
ald | shall and do. Tell her shall pray that
iue disappointment may rest upon her young
"uij lightly, ana | hope she will forgive as
HsWeeJ Christian child should-and pray
"l'h me that the heart of the father may
~ Soltened toward his wandering son'-tor
Que must remember, Arthur did not know
Vi me contract made between your father,
una hecould not help loving this girl, thrown
gUo ner company, accidently, us he was
IoT she Is very beautiful and should Judge,
Tss i49Veiy IN character as she is in person
:. INC Earl would only relent ! should be
Pou4 10 Introduce her to society as my
ppushter.' Break the news tenderly to
wy 10y would have written to her If had
noO thought it best for you TO tell her. Your
"'Fo"ing friend,
''ANNE BEACoNsTIELD."
- AN that's the trouble. made low mar
mug, and secret at that! Beaconsfield will
Ho.II forgive mesalliancc. This is sad,
Sou business! After all, the girl has only
iTH''l fled poor artist" so soliloquizod Lord
1S.' tdoughtfully and sadly.
nU Notwithstanding his sorrow for his
lgIe'S friend, Lord Ernst felt an indeScriba-
~. sense of relief
c r Althm's marriage had saved him
S %os"sreeabie duty, and the only unpleasant
a.. now was TO break the news to Lady
Il ny ana he felt that the sooner she knew
p 1ile potter 1t would be for all parties.
do. u' now 10 tell hcr-that was the guam
tai }; Lord Ernst felt sure that his daugh-
si ulu not love Sir Arthur other than IN
srS,SFrly way, and that the entire sever
SCp,,u.o VI The contract would DO a benefit
SUI M Ohcn again" thought he, "women are
mn - quoer croatllres--they do not care 1or
bnt' nJcct SO long MS 1t is in their possession ;
M. "uCe remove it from their reach ana
VIII break their hearts over it,"
b,n9r Ernst with the two letters in his
flu flu Wended his way slowly and thought
mn, 70 MS daughters boudoir to impart tho
ip'edsant news TO her,
c,i DGC II he had this opinion of most wom-
mo- M. ne was wholly mistaken in his esti-
Eo..o Oh his daughters character. Lady
Ia. was of warm, passionate nature,
as..a ai4e was not weak on silly. She had
"A -. -, isaFs